Bailer



April 25, 1939. G. D. JOHNSON 2,155,601

BAILER Filed Aug. 22, 195e 2 sheetsheet 1 April 25, 1939.

G. D. JOHNSON BAILER Filed Aug. 22, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 BAILER Glenn D. Johnson, Compton, Calif., assigner to Baash-Ross Tool Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California.

Application August 22, 1936, Serial No. 97,387

11 onims.

This invention relates to a well tool and relates more particularly to a bailer for removing and recovering material from wells. A general object of this invention is to provide a well bailer for use in deep wells that is dependable in operation and that is easy and convenient to assemble, dump and clean.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well bailer that embodies a novel and particularly effective inlet valve that does not open or unseat prematurely.

Another object of this invention is to provide a Well bailer embodying a floating seat for the inlet valve that moves with the Valve under the action of the heavy hydrostatic pressures in the Well so that the valve is not unseated by such pressures. The valves of typical well bailers often become prematurely opened by the vheavy hydrostatic pressures encountered in the wells so that the bailers become lled before reaching the selected positions. The bailer of the presentinvention embodying a floating valve seat overcomes this common defect or insufficiency. Y

Another object of this invention is to provide a bailer of the character mentioned that embodies a dependable latch control for the Valve.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well bailer in which the entire assembly of the valve mechanism and its control may be easily removed from the bailer body to permit dumping of the bailer and cleaning of the said assembly.-

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved well bailer that is adapted to obtain a full, uncontaminated sample or load of fluid from a selected zone in the well.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well bailer that is effective and positive in operation in situations where very high hydrostatic pressures eXist.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved well bailer that is convenient to handle and operate and that is particularly easy to assemble, clean, etc.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application oz the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the bailer provided by this invention in position in a well. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional view oi the lower portion of the bailer taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts in the actuated or tripped positions. Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are transverse detailed sectional Views taken as indicated by lines 5 5, 6 6 and 'I 'I, respectively, on Fig. 2 and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view illustrating the manner in which the bailer body may be emptied and ilushed out by iluid under pressure.

The well bailer of the present invention includes, generally, a hollow or tubular body I0 for receiving fluid from the well, a relief valve I I on the upper end of the body Ill, and an assembly A removably secured to the lower portion 0I" the body I0 and comprising an inlet valve means I2 and a control I3 for the valve means I2.

The body I0 is provided to carry the assembly A and the other parts of the bailer and to receive and contain the sample or iluid obtained from the well. The body I0 includes one or more lengths I3a of tubing of the desired diameter. In practice the tubing I3a of the body I0 may be formed of standard externally upset tubing as illustrated. It is to be understood that the body IU may include as many lengths of tubing I as required to have the desired fluid capacity. The body I0 includes a connecting member or sub I4 on the upper end of the uppermost length of tubing I3a. In the case illustrated the sub I4 has a socket I5 in its lower end receiving the upper end portion of the uppermost body tubing I3a and has a pin l5 on its upper end threaded into the lower end of a rope socket I l or the like. A cable, a string of rods or a string of pipe may be connected wtih the sub I4 to carry and operate the bailer.

The body I0 further includes a tubular section I8 secured to the lower end of the lowermost length of tubing I3a. The body section I8 may be threaded on the lower end portion of the lowermost length of tubing I3a and may be somewhat larger in diameter than the tubing |38. The body section I8 may be threaded on the lower end portion of the lowermost length of tubing I3a and may be somewhat larger in diameterthan the tubing I3. The body section I8 is provided to receive and house certain parts of the assembly A, as will be hereinafter described, and its interior is shaped to have cooperation with certain elements of the assembly A. An annular ridge or shoulder I9 is provided on the interior of the body section A adjacent its upper end. An annular recess 2l! is provided in the interior of the section I8 and is spaced some distance above its lower end. The

end walls of the annular recess 28 may be tapered or inclined as illustrated.

The relief valve I I is provided to permit the discharge of excessive pressurefrom the body I8 when the bailer is withdrawn from the liquid in the well following the loading operation. In accordance with the invention the relief valve I I is adjustable to open under a ,preferred or selected internal pressure in the bodyl I8. The relief valve II includes a tubular valve body 2I threaded in an opening 22 in the wall of the sub I4 to project into the open upper portion of the socket I5. An outwardly facing valve seat 23 is provided on thel interior of the valve body 2I and a ball valve 24 is adapted to co-` operate with the seat. threaded in the outer portion of the valve body 2I and a spring 26 is arranged under compres-1 sion between the ball valve 24 and the screw 25 to urge the valve against the seat 23. Thescrew 25 is slotted so that it may be easily threaded to regulate the action of the valve 26. A port 21 may -be provided in the wall of the sub I4 to communicate with the socket I5. 'I'he port 21 may be remployed in flushing out and cleaning the body I8. A threaded plug 218 normally closes the port 21. v

The assembly A embodies the valve means I2, the control I3 and vario-us associated parts and, in accordance with the invention is removable from the body I8 to permit the easy cleaning of the body I8 and the assembly. The removable assembly A includes a tubular section 29 normally removably secured to the lower end of the body I8 to constitute a continuation of the bailer body. The section 29 may be of lthe same diameter as the body section I8 and itsslower end is open to receive the well uid. The lower end portion of the section 29 may be shaped to operate as a guide. Guide springs 38maybe provided on the section 29. rThe springs 38 are arranged longitudinally of the section 29 and are bowed outwardly between their ends to have yielding contact with the interior of the Vwe-ll casing and the wall of the well. The lower end portions of the springs 38 are received in grooves 3l in the exterior of the section 29 and are secured to the section by screws 32. The upper portions of the springs 38 are received in grooves 33 and are adapted to shift as the springs are flexed. A retaining ring 34 is welded or other- Wise secured to the upper portion of the section 29 and has a tongue or ange 35 freely overn hanging the upper portions of the springs .30 to prevent their displacement from the grooves 33. The circumferentially spaced springs 30 are adapted to centralize and guide the lbailer as it is run through the well. A tubular cage 38 .is threaded vor otherwise secured to .the upper; por- -tion of the section 29 and is adapted .to be enf tered in the lower end of the body section I8. The cage 36 is adapted to extend some distance upwardly into the body section I8.

The invention. provides ya simple, dependable. releasable connection between the cage 33 and the body section I8 that permits the `removal of the assembly A from the body I0 when it is desired to dump the bailer, clean lthe bailer, etc. The releasable connection between the assembly A and body I8 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs or splinesl-31 on the 'exterior of the cage 36. The splines 31 are adapted to be passed upwardly through grooves 38 in the interior of the Vbody section i8 and entered in the recess S20. The splines '31 arepassed'up- A tubular screw 25 is the wall of the body section I8 and enter one oef the openings 39. With the openings 43 and 39 dependably prevents rotation of the assembly A relative to the The latch pin 42 cooperating body I8 and thus prevents: the entrance. of the splines 31 into the grooves 38. A notch 44 may be provided inthe exterior of the body section I8 kat lthe lfree end of the latch spring 49 to facilitate the easy manipulation of the spring. The longitudinal edges of the splines. 31 may be beveled so the pin 42 may be made to snap inA one of the openings 39 when the splines are turned into the recess l28 as described above. When removing theassembly A, the spring 40 may be manually .flexed .outwardly to disengage the pin 42 from the opening 39 whereupon the assembly A may be given a partial rotation relative to the body I0 tobring the splines 31 into alignment with the grooves 38 to permit the disengagement of the assembly A from the body I8. a packing washer 45 may be interposed between the lower end of the Abody section. I8 and the upper ends of the ring 34 and the section 29.

The inlet valve vmeans I2 is included in the assembly A to be removable from the body I|8 together with the other parts of the assembly. The valve means I2 is provided to control the admission of the well fluids into the lower end of the body I8. It is an important feature of the invention that the valve means. I2 is. capable of dependable operation under very high hydrostatic well pressures and cannot open prematurely under such pressures. The valve means I2 includes a shiftable or floating valve seat 48 and a valve head or valve 49 for cooperating with the seat. The seat 48 is an annular or tubular member and is shiftable longitudinally in the body section I8 below its shoulder I9. The seat 48 may carry a guide 58 and a sealing rubber 5I may be clamped or held between the seat and guide 58 to slidably seal with the interior of the body I8. The upper end of the seat 48 is provided with a tapered seating surface 52. The upper end of the seat 48 may under certain circumstances contact lthe shoulder I9 which dennitely limits the upward movement of the seat.

The valve 49 may be a simple disc-like member having a downwardly and inwardly tapered periphery. A valve rubber 53 is suitably recessed in Athe periphery of the valve 49 to seal against the seat 52. The valve 49 is carried by a stem 54 which extends downwardly through the body section I8 into the cage 39. The valve 49 may be threaded on the stem 54 and may be secured in position by a lock nut 55. The guide 58 on the seat 48 may assist in guiding the valve stem 54. The lower portion of' the valve stem 54 is enlarged and stepped to present two upwardly facing shoulders 53 and 51. The shoulder 56 is preferably inclined downwardly and outwardly. When the valve 49 is in cooperation with the seat 48 the lower end of the fluid containing space of the body I8 is closed. Y

The control I3 for the valve means I2 operates to normally `hold the valve 49 closed against the If desired seat 48 and is releasable upon engaging and pressing a part of the control against the bottom of the well to permit opening of the valve under the action of the hydrostatic pressures. The control I3 is in the nature of a latch control and includes a plurality of latches 58 for cooperating with the shoulder 56 on the valve stem 54. The latches 58 have their outer upper portions received in slots 59 in the wall of the cage 36 and are pivotally supported by pins 69. The latches 58 project downwardly and inwardly from the slots 59 and have shoulders 6I adapted to cooperate with the shoulder 56 to hold the valve stem 54 against upward movement. 'Ihe latches58 project upwardly and outwardly beyond the pivot pins 66 and their upper ends are in the nature of cams 62.

Spring means is provided to normally hold the latches 58 in proper cooperation with the shoulders 56. A shiftable thrust ring 63 is provided in the body section I8 at the upper end of the cage 36 and cooperates with the cams 62. A spring 64 is arranged under compression between the guide 59 and the ring 63 to urge the ring downwardly against the cams 62. The spring urged ring 63 acting on the cams 52 yieldingly holds the latches 58 in positions where their shoulders 6l properly cooperate with the shoulder 56 to positively hold the valve 49 against upward movement. The spring 64 acting upwardly against the guide 58 of the valve seat 48 urges the valve seat surface 52 into sealing contact with the valve rubber 53. Thus the spring 64 assures the proper cooperation of the latches 58 with the shoulder 56 to prevent upward movement of the valve 49 and holds the valve seat 48 upwardly in proper cooperation with the valve 49.

The control I3 further includes means for releasing the latches 58 to allow the valve 49 to open or move upwardly under the hydrostatic pressures in the well. The means for effecting the release of the latches 58 includes a sleeve 65 shiftable on the enlarged lower portion of the valve stem 54. The sleeve 65 has a slack connection with the stem 54. A pin 68 on the sleeve 65 shiftably operates in a longitudinal groove 56 in the stem 54 and is adapted to engage the upper end of the groove to limit upward movement of the sleeve relative to the stem 54. An internal shoulder 'I8 is provided on the sleeve 65 and is adapted to cooperate with the shoulder l to limit the downward movement of the sleeve relative to the stem 54. A cushion washer may be provided between the shoulders 5! and lil and a relief port 65a may be provided in the wall oi the sleeve 65. The latches 58 have downwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces II in their lower ends and the upper end of the sleeve 65 is rounded to cooperate with the surfaces 'Il to effect outward pivoting of the latches 58 and disengagement of the latch shoulders 6I from the shoulder 56.

A longitudinally shiitable stem or plunger I2 extends through the section 29 and has a tubular guide 'I3 threaded on its upper portion. The guide 'i3 is threaded into the lower portion of the sleeve 65 and serves to connect the sleeve 55 and the plunger 12. The guide 'I3 may have guide Jngers 'i4 shiftably operating on the internal wall of the section 29 to centralize and guide the plunger 12. An upwardly facing annular shoulder l5 may be provided on the interior of the section 28 to limit the downward movement of the ngers 'I4 and the plunger 12. A spring I5 is provided within the sleeve 65 and is arranged under compression between the lower end of the valve stem 54 and the upper end of the guide 'I3 to yieldingly hold the sleeve 65 and the plunger 'I2 in a down position where the sleeve is out of cooperation with the latch surfaces 1I. The plunger 'I2 projects downwardly beyond the lower end of the section 29 and its projecting end portion may carry a dart or head 'I8 for engaging the bottom wall of the well bore.

When the bailer is to be run into the well the parts are assembled as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. In assembling the bailer the assembly A is adapted to be handled as a unit. The latches 58 may be latched to have their shoulders 6I cooperate with the shoulder 56 to maintain the valve 49 in its proper relation in the seat 48. In assembling the assembly A on the body IIJ the valve means I2 and the cage 36 are inserted in the lower end of the body section I8 to move the splines 31 through the grooves 38. The assembly is then given a partial rotation relative to the body I0 to bring one of the openings 39 into register with the opening 43 whereupon the latch pin 42 snaps into the said opening 39. The latch pin 42 holds the assembly A against turning relative to the body I9 so that the splines 31 are held in the groove 28 where they are out of alignment with the grooves 38. The bailer is then secured to the cable or string and is lowered into the well.

During the passage of the bailer through the well the valve 49 operates to close the lower end of the hollow body III to prevent the entrance or" fluid into the body. Under certain circumstances there may be a very heavy hydrostatic pressure in the well which may tend to open the valve 49. These hydrostatic pressures in the well may operate to cause upward shifting of the valve 49. Very heavy pressures on the valve 4i) may result in elongation of the stem 54 and other parts to cause upward movement of the valve 49. This upward movement oi the valve 49 is accompanied by corresponding upward movement oi the valve seat 48. The surfaces of the valve seat assembly and the valve 49 exposed to the hydrostatic well pressures are related so that the seat 43 may move as rapidly or more rapidly than the valve 49 so that `the valve 49 and seat i8 remain in proper cooperation to eiiect a positive seal. Due to this action of the iloating valve seat 48 and the valve 49 the valve 49 is not unseated or opened by the hydrostatic pressures in the well.

When the bailer has reached the lower end of the well the head i8 may engage the materiai or formation at the bottom of the well. When the head 'i9 is in engagement with the bottom oi the well continued downward movement of the bailer operates to release the latches 55. Engagement of the head "I8 with the bottom oi the well of course holds the plunger l2 against downward movement. Accordingly, as the bailer is moved downwardly the faces 'II of the latches 58 come into contact with the upper end oi the sleeve 65 which is secured to the Lipper end of the plunger l2. This engagement results in pivoting ci the latches 53 to release their shoulders 5I from4 the shoulder 56. Immediately upon the release of the latches 58 from the shoulder 55 the hydrostatic pressure acting on the valve 49 opens or raises the valve. The interior of the body I?? becomes lled or partially lled with the vfluid under pressure in the well.

Following the loading or lling of bailer it is raised or moved upwardly. This upward movement of the bailer is accompanied by closing of the valve 49. The weight of the iluid trapped in the bailer body ID of course holds the valve 4S in its closed position. When lthe -bailer has been withdrawn from the well it is lowered into a suitable holding receptacle and the latch sp-ring 48 is flexed outwardly to release the pin 42 from the opening 39. The body l0 is then turned slightly to align the grooves 38 with the splines 3l so that the body I0 and the assembly A may be moved apart. It will be understood that the assembly A is removable from the body ID as a single unit. The contents of the bailer are immediately ejected upon the disconnection of the body l0 and the assembly A. The several parts comprising the assembly A may be readily washed ofi with a hose and the interior of the body IS may be ilushed out by fluid introduced through the opening 27. The assembly A may then be reconnected with the body I0 in the manner described above to again condition the bailer for operation.

The iluid bailed from the well or obtained in the body I may contain a large amount of vcuttings, `sand and mud and other solid matter which may cause it to tightly pack in the body. When this occursy it may be found desirable to employ hydraulic p-ressure to remove or discharge the material from the body lll. The plug 28 may be unthreaded from the opening 2l and a fitting 8U may be threaded in the opening. The fitting is connected with the end of a hose 8l adapted to carry water or other fluid under pressure. The tting 80 is provided with a port 82 which is adapted to discharge into the body I0 when the fitting is properly threaded in the opening 2l'. The fitting 80 is provided with means for preventing the escape of the hydraulic pressure from the relief valve Il. A suitable gasket 83 is secured to the inner end of the fitting 80 and is adapted to seal against the inner vend of the valve body 2|. When the fitting 80 is properly threaded in the opening 21 the gasket 83 seals against the valve 4body 2l to prevent the escape of the hydraulic pressure from the relief valve ll. After the fitting 80 hasI been threaded in the opening 2l' water or other fluid under pressure may be passed through the hose 8| to discharge from the port 82. This fluid under pressure operates to force or discharge the well material from the body Ill and may fully flush out the body.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modiiications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A well bailer comprising, a body to be run into the well to receive fluid, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid to the body including, a valve seat shiftable in the body, a valve for engaging with the seat and sealing against the hydrostatic pressures in the well, a r'eleasable means for holding the Valve closed, the seat being shiftable by the hydrostatic pressures to follow the valve in the event the said releasable means is distorted by the hydrostatic pressures on the valve to allow shifting of the valve, and means for releasing the said releasable means, the last mentioned means including a shiftable part projecting from the body to engage the bottom of the well and engageable with the said releasable means to release the same upon downward movement of the body when said part is engaging the bottom of the well.

2. A well bailer comp-rising, a body to be run into the well to receive fluid, valve means for controlling the admission of uid to the body including, a valve seat shiftable in the body, a valve sealing downwardly against the seat, the surface of the seat exposed to the hydrostatic pressures in the well being at least as large as the surface of the Valve exposed to such pressures whereby the hydrostatic pressures urge the seat upwardly against the valve, and a stem on the valve, releasable latch means engaging with the stem to hold the valve closed, and means for releasing the latch means to allow the valve to open under the action of the hydrostatic pressures, the last mentioned means including a member shiftably carried Yby the stem, engageable with the bottom of the well and engageable with the latch means to release the same when f the stem moves downwardly with the body and relative to said member when said member is in engagement with the bottom of the well.

3. A well bailer comprising, a body to be run into the well to receive fluid, valve means for controlling the admission of fluid to the body including, a valve seat shiftable in the body, a valve for engaging the seat and sealing against the hydrostatic pressures in the well, and a stem on the valve, latch means engaging with the stem to hold the Valve closed, a single spring acting on both the valve seat and the latch means to urge the valve and valve seat into yieldable engagement and to yieldably hold the latch means latched, the valve seat being shiftable by the hydrostatic pressures to follow the valve in the event the stem is stretched or the latch means distorted by the pressures acting on the valve, and means for releasing the latch means to allow the valve to open.

4. A well bailer comprising, a body for receivlng fluid open at its lower end, an assembly adapted to be handled as a unit comprising a tubular section, a valve carried by the section,

a valve seat engaged by the valve and adapted to enter the body, a stem on the valve, releasable latch means engaging with the stem to hold the valve closed, and 'means operable through engagement with the bottom of the well for releasing the latch means including a rod projecting from the section to engage the bottom of the well and a part on the rod shiftable with respect to the stem and engageable by the latch means to release the same, and means removably securing the assembly to the body to have the seat t the body.

5. A well bailer comprising, a body having a chamber with an inlet, and valve means to control the inlet of the chamber, the valve means comprising, a tubular valve seat freely shiftable vertically in the body at the inlet, a sealing surface on the upper end of the seat, the lower end of the seat being exposed to the hydrostatic pressures in the well, a valve for sealing downwardly against said surface, a stem on the valve having comprising, a tubular valve seat freely shiftable vertically in the body at the inlet, a sealing surface on the upper end of the seat, the lower end of the seat being exposed to the hydrostatic pressures in the well, a valve for sealing downwardly against said surface, a stem on the valve having an upwardly facing shoulder, a pivoted latch on the body engaging with the shoulder to prevent upward movement of the valve, and a member engageable with the bottom of the well bore and guided by the stem to engage the latch and release the latch from the shoulder when said member engages the bottom of the bore.

7. A well bailer comprising, a body having a chamber with an inlet, and valve means to control the inlet of the chamber, the valve means comprising, a tubular valve seat freely shiftable vertically in the body at the inlet, a sealing surface on the upper end of the seat, the lower end of the seat being exposed to the hydrostatic pressures in the well, a valve for sealing downwardly against said surface, a stem on the valve having an upwardly facing shoulder, a pivoted latch on the body engaging with the shoulder to prevent upward movement of the valve, a cam part on the latch, a spring urged member acting on the cam part to yieldingly hold the latch in engagement with the shoulder, and means conditioned through engagement with the bottom of the well bore for releasing the latch from the shoulder to allow the valve to open.

8. A well bailer comprising a body for receiving iluid, a valve means controlling the admission of fluid to the body and tending to open under the action of the pressure in the well and releasable means holding the valve means closed comprising two relatively movable parts, one a stem for the valve means, the other a member shiftable relative to the body and projecting downwardly beyond the body to engage the bottom of the well to be held against downward movement by engagement with the bottom of the well, a shoulder on the stem, a latch carried by the body and releasably engaging with the shoulder to hold the valve means closed, and a shoulder on said member engageable by the latch to effect release of the latch upon downward movement of the body and stem relative to said member when the member is against the bottom of the well.

9. A well bailer comprising a body for receiving fluid, a valve means controlling the admission of fluid to the body and tending to open under the action of the pressure in the Well and releasable means holding the valve means closed comprising two relatively movable parts, one a stem for the valve means, the other a member shiftable relative to the body and projecting downwardly beyond the body to engage the bottom of the well to be held against downward movement by its engagement with the bottom of the well, a shoulder on the stem, spring means yieldingly resisting relative movement between said parts, a latch carried by the body and releasably engaging with the shoulder to hold the valve means closed, and a shoulder on said member engageable by the latch to effect release of the latch upon downward movement of the body and stem relative to said member when said member is engaging the bottom of the well.

l0. A well bailer comprising a body for receiving fluid, a valve means controlling the admission of fluid to the body and tending to open under the action of the pressure in the well and releasable means for holding the valve means closed comprising two relatively movable parts, one a stem for the valve means, the other a member shiftable relative to the body and projecting downwardly beyond the body to engage the bottom of the well to be held against downward movement by its engagement with the bottom of the well, a shoulder on the stem, a latch carried by the body and releasably engaging with the shoulder to hold the valve means closed, and a tube on said member shiftably surrounding the stem and engageable by the latch to eiect its release upon downward movement of the body and stem relative to said member when said member is engaging the bottom of the Well.

l1. A well bailer comprising a body for receiving fluid, a valve means controlling the admission of fluid to the body and tending to open under the action of the pressure in the well and releasable means for' holding the valve means closed comprising two relatively movable parts, one a stern for the valve means, the other a member shiftable relative to the body and projecting downwardly beyond the body to engage the bottom of the well to be held against downward movement by its engagement with the bottom of the well, a shoulder on the stem, a latch carried by the body and releasably engaging with the shoulder to hold the valve means closed, a tube on the upper end of the said member shiftably surrounding the stem, and a cam face on the latch engageable with the tube to release the latch upon downward movement of the body and stern relative to said member when said member is engaging the bottom of the well.

GLENN D. JOHNSON. 

